Key-operated machine.



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(Application med Dec. 31, 1897.)

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TN: Nonms Prcns co, mmc-uwe.. WASHINGTON. u C,

UNITED STATES i PATENT FFICE;

CHARLES s. CHAMPION, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, AssIeNOR To FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

KEY-OPERATED MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,373, dated February is, ieoa Application nea December 31,1297. saranno. 665814. mom-5ans To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. CHAMPION, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hartford, in the county of I-Iartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Operated Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in key-operated machines; and it has forits main object the provision of shifting mechanism for moving the platen of a type-writing or analogous machine to any one of three different positions transversely of the direction of travel of the carriage.

As is well known in the art,type-w1iters of the Remington and other similar types are so constructed t-hat the platen thereof around which the paper is carried' is shiftable from a normal position, which is usually the position of the platen for small letters ofthe alphabet, to another position transversely of the printing-line, this latter position corresponding to the upper-case position for printing capital letters andsimilar characters.

In the machine forming the subject-matter of this invention my object is to furnish a machine of this type in which the platen may be moved from any one to another of three diferent positions transversely of the printing-line, these positions corresponding, respectively, to the lower-case and upper-case positions of the ordinary single-shift typewriter, while .the third lposition is an extra one for miscellaneous characters' of the keyboard of the machine. chine in this manner it will be apparent that as the platen has three dierent positions, in anyone of which characters maybe im printed on a moving. sheet of paper or similar material, the types or type-bars by means of which the characters areformed should each have thereon three characters, one of which will be ordinarily the lower-case character or small letter of the alphabet, another of which will be the corresponding upper-case or capital letter, while the third will be some predeter.

minedmiscellaneous character or device.

The several positions of the platen will bev In constructing a ma-` will be brought opposite the printing-line' and will operate to. print a letter upon the traveling sheet. Obviously inH a machine of this type, which I term a-three-case machine, many of the parts found in the usual two-case machine will be dispensed with and the size and weight of the apparatus as a whole very materially reduced,as well as the cost thereof.

The principal feature'of this invention is the employment, in connection with some suitable platen mounted for traveling movement and also capable of shifting transversely of its line of travel, of shifting means for moving the platen to any one of three transverse positions, one of which will bel a normal position, to which ordinarily the platen will be returned after it has been shifted, while one of the other positions will define the extreme movement of the platen in the opposite direction to that in which 'it lies normally, the third position being-preferably an intermediate one, ordinarily'half-way between the other two or extreme positions. y

As I consider it essential ina machine of this type to control Withabsolute precision the shifting or transverse movements of the platen to prevent misalinement of the `characters printed on the moving sheet, I deem it advisable to employ some means shiftable into and out of the path of movement of the carrier on which the platen is mounted for stoppin g positively the movement of such carrier, and hence while I have shown herein two stops, preferably fixed, for limiting the ex- 'treme movements of the platen I yhave also illustrated in connection therewith a third stop shiftable into and out of the path'of movement ofthe platen-carrier insuch a mailner as to form a positive abutment, against which the platen-carrier will be stopped directly and held positively whenever` such shiftable stop is brought into action to define the position of the platen. l

In the preferred construction, which is that illustrated in the drawing thereof, the normal position o'f the platen will be forward or toward the front of the type-writer or analogous machine, and the shifting means, whereby the position of the platen will be changed as desired, will embody two separately-operable shifting devices, one of which will include an IOO actuating member having a greater range of movement than the actuating member of the other shifting device. Ordinarily, ot course, one shifting device will move the platen-carrier twice as far as the other one, and in all cases I prefer to employ in connection with libe shifting means suitable retracting means for returning the platen-carrier, and hence the platen, to the normal position.

In the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification I have illustrated in sectional end elevation so much of a typewriting machine embodying my present invention as is deemed necessary for a proper illustration of the novel features.

A designates in a general way the framework of a type-writing machine, which framework maybe of any suitable construction, but for convenience of illustration is shown as a Remington frame, the lower part or base of which is hollow and will carry the key-levers, while on the top plate of the machine, above the mouth of the basket, a suitable carriage (designated in a general way by C) will be supported foi-traveling movement. Itwill be understood that this carriage will derive its traveling movement from a spring or similar source of power (not shown) and that each intermittent movement of the carriage as it advances will be controlled by the ordinary pawl-and-rack feed device, (indicated at F.)

The carriage C will be guided in its movements by the usual carriage-rod, and this carriage-rod or back rod is designated herein by 2. The forward side ofthe carriage will have the usual antifriction -roller 2', which will travel on the forward side of the top plate In machines of the two-case type hereinbefore referred to it is customary to support the platen on a carrier mounted on the carriage for shifting movement transversely of the line of travel of such carriage, and this feature is retained herein. Any suitable platen may be employed-such, for example, as that indicated by P-and this platen will be mounted substantially in the usual manner, so as to rotate intermittently on a carrier, such as c.

In the construction illustrated herein the platen -carrier is supported and guided at both of its ends by the usual antifrictionrolls, such as 4 and 4,-', which may be guidedA between suitable flanges, such as 5 and 5'. It is immaterial which of the coperatin g parts is supported by the carriage and which by the platen-carrier, so long as the antifrictionrolls are mounted on one and the flanges or similar members on the other.

, For the purpose of controlling the movements of the platen-carrier, and hence of the platen, I have illustrated herein shifting means embodying a pair of key-operated shifting-levers, one of which will cont-rol one of the movements of the platen and the other of which will control another movement. In this case the key-lever or shifting-lever 7c is intended to control the shifting of the platencarrier from its normal to its opposite extreme position, while the other shifting-lever 7c will control the shifting of said platen-carrier to a position between the two extreme limits of movement. In this case the connections from each key-lever to the platencarrier are substantially the same. From the lever 7c a connecting-rod 8 passes to the short arm ot' the angle-lever 10, supported on the framework in a suitable position, while from the key-lever 7s a similar connecting-rod 8' extends to a corresponding angle-lever, such as 10', also mounted in a suitable position on the upper part of the framework and in the rear of the machine in the construction shown. I do not, of course, limit myself to the exact connections illust-rated herein,but consider as within the scope of myinvention any equivalents for the features just described. It should be noted, however, that in the construction illustrated the movements of the angle-levers l0 and l0 are not the same, the upper end of the long arm ot the angle-lever l() having in this case a movement twice that of the corresponding7 member of the anglelever 10. l

Each of the angle-levers just referred to cooperates with asuitable member ot the platencarrier c, and in this instance I have illustrated a pair ot' cylindrical rods, such as l2 and 12, with the former of which the anglelever 10 coacts, while the latter is intended to be engaged by the angle-lever 10'. If now the shifting-lever 7l: is depressed, the platencarrier c will be shifted to the rear a distance indicated by the positions of the angle-lever l0 in full and dotted lines,whereas the movement of the platen-carrier when the shiftinglever k is operated is indicated in full and dotted lines at lO and will be but half of the first-mentioned movement.

Obviously some suitable stops, such as the iixed stops l5 and 15', may be employed for determining the two extreme positions of the platen-carrier; but in connection therewith I employ another stop shit'table for the purpose ot locating the platen-carrier directly and positively in its intermediate position. This shiftable stop may be of any suitable construction and may be operated in any desired manner, so long as it is movable into and out of the path of a member controlling the shifting or transverse movement of the platen; butin the construct-ion shown I have illustrated a vertically-movable stop (designated in a general way by s) shiftable into and out of the path of transverse movement of the rear side of the platen-carriere. This shit'table stop will preferably be connected with and operated by one of the shifting-levers, in this case the lever 7c', it being connected in the construction shown to a lever 18, properly supported on the framework, which lever is connected at one end with the stop s by a pin-and-slot connection and at the other end with the angle-lever 10' or the rod S', as the case may be, the joint being sufiiciently loose to prevent binding of the parts.

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IIO

In thepresent case thestop s is supported in a vertical guideway 20 in a projecting portion 2O of the main framework, the lowermost position of said stop being,r determined by the stop-face 20". Obviously the upper face of the stop s should in the normal position lie below the platen-carrier c and be outl of the way; vbut when shifted it will move upward into the path of said platen-carrier and will stop or interrupt the movement ofl the latter by the shifting means Vat the proper point. This stop s works in contact with a stop in the same plane as the forward face of the stop l5'.

For the purpose of retracting the shifting members or levers 7c and Zr to their normal positions I may make use of suitable springs, such as the spring 25, of well-known construction. Moreover, some suitable spring will be employed'for returning the platen-carrier to its'normal position, in this case toward the forward side of the machine. A helical or coil spring 26 is illustrated for this purpose and connects the slidableplaten-carrier with the forward side of the carriage.

In connection with a machine having a platen-carrier constructed in the manner just described it will be obvious that suitable types or type-bars should be employed, each having three type characters upon the lworking face thereof. Such types are illustrated herein at the free ends of type-arms, such as 30,v

of the ordinary construction, pivoted in the usual manner in the ring of the type-basket and operated by suitable connecting-rods, such as 31,which, it should be understood, are controlled by the proper key-levers. (Not shown.)

The types are indicated by t, and the faces of each are designated, respectively, by-35, 35', and 35". or face 35 will be brought into operation when the platen and the other parts of the mechanism are in the positions shownin full lines in the. drawing, while the face 35' will be used -when the platen and coacting parts are in the intermediate position, the type-face 35 being employed when the platen and the.

other parts are in the extreme .right-hand position.

The manner in which a machine of this type is used is substantiallysimilar to the mode` of operation of a Remington or other twocase-machine, except that instead of having but one shifting lever or key to control the movement of the platen there are two keys controlling two different movements of thel platen, one of which will preferably be double the movement controlled by the other shifting-lever. Of course only one shifting-lever should be operated at one time, and, as is ob vious, theA platen and its carrier will return.

to the normal or left-hand position .in the construction shown when a previously-operated shifting-lever is released. a

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. yIn a key-operated machine, the combina- I tion, with a traveling platenshiftable trans- Obviously the type character.

to its first-mentioned position.

versely to its ydirection o f travel, and with means for imparting va traveling1movement to said platen', of'separably-operable shifting means attached to separate moving parts for moving said platen transversely to itsline of travel different distances in the same direction, and stops controlling such positions of theplaten. n

2. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a travelingplaten shiftable transa versely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said platen, of ,separably-operable shifting means attached to separate movingparts for moving said platen transversely to its line of travel from a normal position different distances in the same direction, and stops controlling such positions of the platen.

3. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a traveling platen shiftable transversely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement toY saidplaten, of separably-,operable shifting means attached to separate moving parts for Y means for imparting a traveling movement to said platen, of separably-operable shifting IOO means attached to separate moving parts for moving said platentransversely to its line kof travel froma normal position different disf tances in the same direction; stops controlling such positions ofthe platen and a'retract-l ing-spring for normally returning the platen 5. In a keyoperated machine, the combination, with a traveling'platen shiftable transversely to its direction of travel,iand.,with

means for imparting a traveling movementto VVsaid platen, of a pair of separately-operable shifting devices attached to separate moving parts for movingsaid platen transversely to its line of travel different distances. in the same direction from a normalposition thereof, and stops controlling such positions ofthe platen.

6. In a key-operated machine, thecombination, with a traveling platen shiftable trans-v versely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement-to said platen, of a pair of separately-operable key-actuated shifting devices attached to separate moving parts for moving said platen transversely to its line of travel dierent'distances in the `same directionjfrom'ay normaly position thereof, and stops 4controlling such positions of the platen.

7. In ahoy-operated machine, the combina-` IIO tion, with a traveling platen shiftabletrans'-L versely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said platen, of separately-operable key-actuated shifting-levers attached to separate moving parts forshiftingsaid platen transversely to its line of travel different distances in the same direction from a normal position thereof, and stops controlling such positions ofthe platen.

8. In akey-operated machine, the combination,with a traveling carriage, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said carriage, of a platen supported on said carriage and shiftable transversely thereof; separably-operable shifting means attached to separate moving parts for movin g said platen transversely to the carriage different distances in the same direction; and stops controlling snch positions of the platen.

9. In akey-operated machine, the combination, with a traveling carriage movable between two extreme positions and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said carriage, of a platen supported on said carriage and shiftable transversely thereof; separably-operable shifting means attached to separate moving parts for moving said-platen transversely to the carriage at any point in the movement of the carriage and different distances in the same direction; and stops controlling such positions of the platen.

10. In a key-operated machine, the combination,with a traveling platen shif table transversely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a ltraveling movement to said platen, of a key-controlled type having three type characters thereon disposed in aline transverse to the printing-line of the platen; separably-operable shifting means attached to separate moving parts for moving said platen transversely to its line of travel different distances in the same direction to bring the printing-line thereof opposite the corresponding character of the type; and stops controlling such positions of the carriage.

11. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a traveling platen shiftable transversely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said platen, of a pair of stops controlling two different transverse positions of said platen; a sliding stop movable into and ont of action and controlling a third transverse position of the platen; and shifting means for moving said platen to any one of said three positions.

l2. In a'keyope1ated machine, the combination,with a traveling platen shiftable transversely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said platen, of a pair of stops controlling two different transverse positions of said platen; a key-operated sliding stop movable into and out of action and controlling a third transverse position of the platen; and shifting means for moving said platen to any one of said three positions.

13. In a key-operated machine, the combination,with atraveling platen shiftable transversely to its direction of travel, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said platen, of a pair of stops controlling two different transverse positions of said platen; shifting means for moving said platen to any one of its different transverse positions; and a sliding stop controlled by said shifting means and movable into and ont oil action and controlling a third transverse position of the platen.

14E. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a traveling carriage, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said carriage of a platen-carrier supported on said carriage and shiftable transversely thereof; a platen on said platen-carrier; a pair of stops controlling two diiferent transverse positions of said platen-carrier; a sliding stop movable into and out of the path of the platen-carrier and controlling a third transverse position of the platen-carrier; and shifting means for moving said platen-cal'- rier to any one of said three positions.

l5. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a traveling carriage, and with means for imparting a traveling movement to said carriage, of a platen -carrier supported on said carriage and shiftable transversely thereof; a platen on said platen-carrier; a pair of stops controlling two different transverse positions of said platen-carrier; a pair of separately-operable shifting devices for moving said platen-carrier to either one of two transverse positions thereof; and a shiftable stop controlled by one of said shifting devices and movable into and out of the path of the platen-carrier and controlling a third transverse position of said platen-carrier.

IG. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a carriage, of a platen-carrier supported on said carriageand shiftable transversely thereof; a platen on said platen-carrier; a pair of stops for limiting the extreme movements ot' the platen-carrier in opposite directions; a shiftable stop movable into and ont of the path of the platen-carrier between .one of said pairs of stops and the platen-carrier; and shifting means for actuating said shiftable stop.

17.. In a key-operated machine, the combination, with a carriage, of a platen-carrier supported on said carriageandshiftable transversely thereof; aplaten on said platen-carrier; a pair of stops for limiting the extreme transverse movements of the platen-carrier in opposite directions; a shiftable stop movable into and ont of the path of the platencarrier between one of said pair of stops and the platen-carrier; retracting means normally tending to return the platen-carrier into engagement with the other of said pair IOC ICS

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of stops; and shifting means for` actuating said shift-able stop.

18. In akey-operated machine, the combination, with a carriage, of a platen-carrier su pported on said carriage andshiftable transversely thereof; a platen on said platen-earrier; a pair of stops for limiting the extreme movements of the platen-carrier in opposite directions; a reciproeatory stop movable into and out of the path of the platen-carrier between one of said pair of stops and the platencarrier and of sufficient Weight to return to its normal position after being actuated; and shifting means for actuating said recp'roeatory stop. l

19. In a key-operated machine, the combie nation, with a carriage. of a platen-carrier supported on said oarriage'and shiftable transversely thereof; a platen on said platen-can.

-pair and. movable into and out of thepath of the platen carrier -between said last men: tioned stop and the platen-carrier; `and. shifting means for actuating said shiftable stop.

CHARLES S. CHAMPION.

Witnesses:

FRED. J. DoLE,

GEO. A. HOFFMANN. 

